Boeing to launch self-driving flying taxis in Asia by 2030
By 2030, Boeing intends to enter the Asian markets with its unmanned flying taxis, one of Japan's largest media corporations, Nikkei Asia, reports, citing Boeing CTO Todd Citron.
Boeing will be helped in this by its subsidiary Wisk Aero, which, before being purchased by the aviation giant, was a startup developing passenger vehicles with vertical take-off and landing functions.
Boeing recently opened its own research center in the Japanese city of Nagoya, which became the company's seventh center outside the United States.
Currently, Boeing's Japanese research center employs 27 specialists from 12 countries. In the future, the company plans to increase their number to 50 people.
Boeing is interested in cooperation with automakers and suppliers of hydrogen fuel cells, the use of which in aviation solves the problem of excess weight of traction batteries.
The Japanese center will develop digital means of manufacturing and designing aircraft, creating environmentally friendly fuels and hydrogen fuel cells.
Boeing will also focus on manufacturing automation and new materials for airframes.